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Description
The NEXET project responds to market needs related to the development of electromobility in Podkarpackie province in south-eastern Poland. With the number of electric cars on Polish roads rapidly growing, charging infrastructure for these vehicles is now considered insufficient. The project objective is to introduce a charging service for electric cars called eN+, with energy storage from renewable sources. The project covers the construction of three charging stations: in the towns od Świlcza, Rzeszów and Olchowa. The eN+ self-service will be opened 24/7, and will not require any additional permissions, which will make it accessible to every customer. The use of renewable energy will reduce the cost of energy generation, making the service both environmentally friendly and affordable. The high flexibility in responding to requests will practically eliminate charger downtime, and therefore assure service availability.
The project implementation will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 35.37 tons through the construction of two photovoltaic installations generating a total of 46 MWh of electricity per year. The project will also result in diversification of services offered by NEXET, which has until now provided ISP services, including Internet access, digital telecommunications and fibre-optic television.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the significant shortcomings in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Podkarpackie region. Due to limited access to fast and super-fast chargers, users encountered difficulties in using electric vehicles over longer distances. The lack of available and conveniently located charging points slowed down the transition to clean transport. The project sought to address these issues by creating modern and accessible charging stations, which encourages the use of electric vehicles and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The project also aimed to bring an electric car charging service to the market, meeting the growing expectations of EV owners, including businesses and individuals. In Poland, the development of this market is supported by subsidies for electric cars, and reports indicate a shortage of charging infrastructure, especially fast DC stations that allow fast charging of vehicles.
The project has built 10 high-powered DC/AC stations and two photovoltaic installations with energy storage, reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. These stations respond to market needs and support the development of electromobility, reducing the negative environmental impact of combustion vehicles.
Charging stations indirectly support public health. Exhaust emissions are a major cause of air pollution, which is one of the biggest health risks in Europe, according to the EEA. Reducing combustion vehicles is key to improving the health and quality of life of city dwellers.
The project also supports resource efficiency and the protection of biodiversity, pointing to the possibility of reducing energy from conventional sources (fossil fuels) and gas. The use of energy from renewable sources (solar radiation) reduces the impact on the ecosystem while protecting their capital.
As part of the project, 10 modern electric vehicle charging stations have been built in the Podkarpackie region, including in and around Rzeszów. The stations offer fast and ultra-fast charging with capacities ranging from 90 to 300 kW, with the possibility to increase to 350 kW in the future. The locations of the stations have been carefully selected to ensure convenient access for users, helping to address one of the main barriers to electromobility development, which is the availability of high-powered charging infrastructure.
The stations operate on both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC), responding to market demand for fast and reliable charging. Fast DC charging allows electric vehicle batteries to be charged in a shorter time than standard household sockets, where a full charge can take 8-15 hours due to the lower power of the home network. The charging stations ensure compatibility with common charging standards and provide safety, functionality and convenience.
In addition, to support sustainability goals, the project included the installation of two photovoltaic systems of more than 20 kW each, equipped with energy storage, at locations in Trzciana and Rzeszów. These installations reduce the company''s dependence on conventional energy sources, which contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By using renewable energy sources for operational purposes, the project reinforces its positive impact on the environment.
The project has also developed software solutions to improve user experience. A mobile application has been developed to facilitate the charging process for EV owners, as well as a web application for customer service, making the service more accessible and usable.
The project''s activities have contributed to the expansion of charging infrastructure in Rzeszów and neighbouring towns, which significantly supports the local electromobility ecosystem. Increased availability of fast and ultra-fast charging stations supports electric vehicle users, reduces reliance on traditional combustion vehicles and promotes clean transport. The integration of PV systems and energy storage further amplifies the environmental benefits by reducing fossil fuel-based energy consumption.
The project has significantly increased access to fast and ultra-fast electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Podkarpackie region, which benefits both individual users and companies considering electrifying their fleets. By improving charging accessibility and strategically positioning the stations, the project supports the adoption of electric vehicles, which contributes to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the region. Located in convenient locations, the infrastructure responds to the needs of environmentally-conscious drivers and local communities, promoting sustainable transport. Additional photovoltaic installations with energy storage underline the project''s commitment to clean energy.
Supporting the development of electromobility and alternative energy sources also contributes to improving the environment, making Rzeszów and the surrounding communities a better place to live, offering a cleaner, greener and quieter environment. Such an environment improves the quality of life, making spending time outdoors more enjoyable for families, tourism more attractive, and companies gain a favorable environment for their employees. . Better air quality not only improves public health, but also has a positive impact on other sectors of the economy.
The establishment of electric vehicle charging stations has a positive impact on public health. According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to health in Europe. The World Health Organization has identified air pollution, especially particulate matter, as a carcinogen. Polluted air contributes not only to cancer, but also to heart disease, dementia, asthma and other health problems, particularly affecting children. One of the main sources of pollution in cities is vehicle emissions, and reducing or eliminating them is a quick and effective way to improve public health, reduce healthcare costs and increase overall quality of life. Electric vehicles, which do not generate exhaust fumes, are contributing to cleaner air as the number of such vehicles on the road increases.